Abstract:
This study was aimed at investigating the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Ruta montana L (Rutaceae) aerial parts. Antioxidant properties were assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay. Antibacterial activity of the extract was assessed by agar diffusion method and four strains bacteria were used for this purpose. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, coumarins, sterols and triterpens with absence of anthocyans and saponins. This richness confirmed by extraction yield 6.46%, 5.52% and 0.27% for methanol leaf, methanol seed and alkaloid extracts respectively. This extracts have shown an effective free radical scavenging activity with low IC₅₀= 38.2 µg/ml was observed for methanol leaf extract and IC₅₀=43 and 95.61 µg/ml for methanol seed extract and alkaloid extract respectively but less than the standard. These extracts have shown also a high power to reduce iron.  The extracts are tested to them antibacterial activity on four bacterial strains, where the most important inhibition was recorded with the alkaloid extract of R. montana L. on B. cereus and S. aurus.

Keywords: Ruta montana L, Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Activity, Alkaloids.